New Zealand are currently on a short white ball tour of 3 ODI and 3 T20 games of Ireland. The first ODI on Sunday was nothing short of spectacular as the kiwis snuck home to a one wicket win with one ball to spare. New Zealand, led by Tom Latham in place of Williamson found a new hero in 31 year old Michael Bracewell.
Ireland lose their openers early –
Bowling first, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry were tasked with the new ball duties. Ferguson struck first when he went through the defences of Stirling for 10 ball 5. Henry then struck when he had Balbirnie the captain caught by Latham for 10 ball 9 to leave the Irish at 26 for 2. Harry Tector joined McBrine and the two added 60 runs for the 3rd wicket before McBrine was out for 39 caught by Latham to give Ferguson his 2nd wicket.
Ireland consolidate as Tector scores a ton –
Harry Tector was lauded his for batting in the recent T20 series against India, on Sunday the 22 year old was playing his 21st ODI for Ireland. Tector scored an amazing 117 ball 113 his first ton with 14 fours and 3 sixes. He was ably supported by Campher who scored 43 off 47 balls with 5 fours and a six. Post the fall of Campher, Tucker scored a quick 22 ball 26 while Simi Singh scored 19 ball 30 to help Ireland post 300 for 9 on the board.
Irish bowlers have the Black Cups in a soup-
Chasing 301 to win, NZ lost Finn Allen early for 6, followed by Will Young for 1 to find themselves at 19 for 2 in the 6th over. Latham came out at 4 and struck some good looking boundaries before he fell for 23. 83 for 3 became 83 for 4 when Nicholls was out for 7 to become Campher’s 3rd wicket.
Guptill scores a fighting 50 before falling to have NZ in trouble –
While the wickets were falling at the other end, veteran opener Guptill held fort to score his 38th half century. Guptill fell for 61 ball 51 with 6 fours and a six when he was bowled by Campher. This left NZ in trouble at 120 for 5 with still 181 runs to win from 170 balls.
Bracewell does the star turn –
Playing his 4th ODI, Michael Bracewell the young brother of former international Doug scored his first ODI ton. Bracwell had just scored 3 runs from his 3 games before scoring his first ton. Phillips was out for 38, while Sodhi scored 25, but Bracewell was holding onto the fort and putting NZ on the way to an unlikely win.
Last over madness –
NZ needed 20 runs from 6 balls with Bracewell on strike, the Irish were still favorites to win the game. Craig Young was given the ball as but what happened next was stuff of dreams. The first ball was flicked for 4 down the leg side to make it 16 off 5. The 2nd ball and repeated the flick shot off a full toss to make it 12 off 4. The 3rd ball was swung over the mid wicket for a six and it was 6 off 3, the 4th ball was pulled for 4 to make it 2 off 2. The 5th ball was the end of the game as this time Craig Young bowled the same ball as the previous ball and was swung again for a huge six to seal the game for NZ with one wicket and ball to spare. Bracewell was not out 127 off 82 balls with 10 fours and 7 sixes.